The Oyo State Government has entered into a partnership with a German education technology company, EIDU GmbH, to implement a digital learning programme at the primary school level in the state.

Speaking on the programme, Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed that the initiative, which began in the first term of the 2024/2025 academic year, had already made a significant impact in four public primary schools selected for the pilot programme in the state.

Makinde spoke through his Executive Assistant on Administration and Focal Person for the state’s Human Capital Development, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe, at a press briefing in Ibadan, the state capital.

According to Ogedengbe, EIDU is an education technology company dedicated to improving learning outcomes for children in underserved communities in Africa by providing access to digital learning solutions.

“The pilot programme will equip pupils and teachers in the selected schools with digital tools to enhance foundational literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy. Teachers also benefit from tailored training and resources, empowering them to deliver higher-quality education and improve classroom outcomes.

“The collaboration aims to improve learning outcomes for young students by leveraging technology to support teachers and engage learners.

“The platform is designed to support teachers, track student progress, and foster engaging learning environments,” the governor’s aide said.

He disclosed that the initiative focuses on integrating EIDU’s digital learning platform into public primary schools across Oyo State, adding: “The platform provides access to interactive educational content, real-time assessment tools, and teacher support resources, all designed to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills.”

The governor’s aide expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and also expressed optimism about its expansion to other zones, considering Makinde’s vision for education.

Ogedengbe emphasised the administration’s commitment to improving education and learning outcomes through innovation and making it accessible to all through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and development partners within and outside the country in line with the sustainable development goal for education.

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Reeling out the programme’s early successes, Ogedengbe said the Oyo State Government and EIDU were now deepening collaboration towards expanding the initiative to reach more schools across other parts of the state.

The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), as a major stakeholder in the project, coordinated the pilot programme in the state in alignment with Nigeria’s national education priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.

A team of technical partners, led by Tomas Kessl, the Director of Partnership, EIDU GmbH, Berlin, Germany, is currently in Oyo State to engage with government and education officials, laying the groundwork for scaling up the project.

The expansion is expected to bring significant benefits, including improved learning outcomes by strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy through standardised assessments.

Other benefits of the project highlighted include digital literacy development, teacher capacity building, and community engagement, where host communities and members of the Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) are also engaged in the project implementation.

Ogedengbe reaffirmed Makinde’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that every child has access to quality education while also commending EIDU and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the pilot programme, acknowledging their role in shaping a brighter future for Oyo State’s children.

“We recognise the critical role technology plays in shaping the future of education. This collaboration with EIDU aligns with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde to provide quality education at all levels, particularly at the foundation and early stages, while also empowering our teachers with the requisite tools they need to deliver effective learning,” Ogedengbe said.

Earlier in his remarks, Tomas Kessl highlighted the importance of supporting educators with digital solutions tailored to the local context while maintaining that the partnership with the Oyo State Government on the project was in line with the company’s vision for technologically driven education for foundational learning.

Kessl maintained that EIDU is focused on sustaining the project for a long time in the state in line with the priorities of the State Government, assuring the readiness of EIDU to scale up the project and expand it to other schools in other geopolitical zones in collaboration with the State Government and support from their partners.

Also present at the meeting were Mr. Kabir Issah, the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, and Mr. Tunde Aiki, Governor’s Office Director of Administration and Supply.

Others on the entourage of Tomas Kessl were Henry Were, Head of Operations, Kenya; Ignatius Attah, Government Relations Specialist (EIDU GmbH, Nigeria); and Mary Adubifa, EIDU Officer in Oyo State.